Hartford Public Schools adopts new middle school math program

By Nancy Albright

At the Hartford Public Schools Board of Education meeting on April 20 the board approved the adoption of the Eureka Math Program, which HPS plans to begin implementing during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Eureka is a new method of teaching K-5 math that involves a series of modules designed to provide students with alternative methods of arriving at the correct answers. The technique is designed to teach students to solve math problems by learning how numbers work, rather than relying on traditional memorization to work through equations.

Math instructors will participate in a comprehensive training program over the next two years to apply the method and continually improve teaching practices. There will also be a Title 1 teacher onsite to help with program implementation.

School Superintendent Andy Hubbard stated that, “Hartford is dedicated to the success of this program.” Eight other district schools will be implementing Eureka, which will give Hartford an opportunity to collaborate with these schools to best utilize the program. A national shift in testing is currently in progress and schools that have already implemented Eureka are reporting increased test scores.”

Woodside Elementary art students recognized by Board of Education

 Hartford Public Schools Art Educator Mrs. Julie Jacobusse presented Woodside Elementary art students Aydan Unrath, Livia Polus, Ahaliah McCoy and Regan Gray with Certificates of Appreciation in art at Thursday night’s meeting.

Mrs. Jacobusse created the Red Arrow and Woodside Elementary Art Club for students interested in producing art and sharing ideas and experiences with other art students, schoolmates and the community. Students work in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, paper-mache, sculpture, and oil pastels, and Mrs. Jacobusse designs projects to teach budding artists about the fundamental principles of art.

A piece of artwork created by each of the four students honored now hangs in the HPS Board Room. School Superintendent Andy Hubbard congratulated each student on their fine work, and thanked Mrs. Jacobusse saying that, “There are many fine pieces of work coming out of the art program.”

Reproductive Health curriculum revises language

 Middle School Principal Joel Messenger requested on behalf of the HPS Reproductive Health Advisory Board that the school board approve revised language to answer questions asked by students that are not addressed by the reproductive health course curriculum.

Puberty: The Wonder Years is the Michigan model curriculum used to teach middle school students about reproductive health. Reproductive Health instructor Nicole Nelson explained to the board that the curriculum does not address “locker room questions” and she feels she is doing a disservice to students when they present her with misinformation that they have learned outside the classroom.

When asked by the board if she is comfortable with questions asked she said that she is comfortable with all of the questions, but doesn’t answer all of them because they are not addressed by the course materials.

The board voted to allow professional discretion to Miss Nelson to answer questions, and approved revised language based on Principal Messenger’s recommendation. The school plans to send a note home with students that will allow parents to opt their children out of the class if they wish.

New teacher joins HPS faculty

 Miss Stephanie Hallgren will join the HPS staff in the 2017-2018 school year as the ESL Migrant Teacher and Coordinator. Miss Hallgren, a former Spanish instructor, comes from the Three Rivers Community School System. Superintendent Hubbard said that Miss Hallgren’s passion for her work was apparent to the selection committee and that, “Miss Hallgren understands the community and the population, and is a natural fit for HPS. We look forward to working with her in the upcoming school year.”

Red Arrow Elementary school building considered as future community center

Superintendent Hubbard announced that the Hartford Public Library board toured the Red Arrow Elementary school building last week as a possible site to relocate the ever-growing library collection and services, and that members of the Van Buren County Senior Services Center will tour the building this week.

The site is under consideration by various area organizations as a possible site for a community center after the building is vacated at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

HPS bus driver takes to the road

 The board accepted the resignation of HPS bus driver Jennifer Spires after five years of service. Superintendent Hubbard thanked Spires for her hard work and wished her luck with her future endeavors in sunny Florida.

ARCHERY CLASSES… Shown here are students in an archery class last year at Watervliet Rod & Gun Club; pictured (from the left) Valerie and Mauricio Molina, Ella and Aubrey Richter.

Watervliet Rod & Gun Club archery classes starting up with a Mother’s Day special

 The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club (WRGC) is starting up their archery program with the first class celebrating Mother’s Day by offering a free class for all moms on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017.

Kids always shoot free; all ages, genders and capabilities welcome. There is no discrimination and they will work with interested children in any way they can.

Julie Holtsclaw is the founder of the WRGC archery program. She has 16 years experience with the Berrien County 4-H shooting sports and is 4-H and nationally certified.

Holtsclaw has recruited two other leaders, Jim Trueblood, national certified archery trainer level 2 and Herman Mattson, 4-H and nationally certified archery instructor. With their help WRGC are able to have larger classes but seating is limited to 15 so please call and reserve a spot. Pre-registration is required.

Archery classes will be held every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month starting on May 14. Classes will run from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Call or text Julie Holtsclaw for pre-registration at 269-277-2233.

Adults are a donated fee of $5 up to 4 classes, than free; kids 18 and under, always free. Scholarships available if the need is there, they will not discriminate on ability to pay.

Join in the fun, learn about archery equipment and safety, and take on the archery field and variety of equipment.

MIKAYLA HARTLINE… age 9, resident of Hartford and student at Woodside Elementary, is pictured here with her first turkey. She was hunting with her father, John Hartline, on the morning of April 21, 2017.

Watervliet Lions Club Hog Roast this Saturday

 The Watervliet Lions Club is holding their annual Hog Roast fundraiser this Saturday, April 29 from noon to 8 p.m. It is an all you can eat buffet featuring pulled pork, salads, rolls, side dishes and beverage. In addition, there is a cash bar.

The roast is being held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 7454 Paw Paw Avenue in Watervliet. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance from a Lions Club member. Children age 10 and under are free. Tickets are also available at the door.

There is a drawing for a 55” flat screen T.V. from pre-purchased tickets. There are also 50/50 raffles with big jackpots, door prizes, golf packages, silent auction and more.

All proceeds help to fund many great projects.

Call Christian Blough at 269-615-2793 for tickets or to donate items.

Best Friends 4-H Club looking for

                                                 youngsters and leaders

 Best Friends 4-H Club in Berrien County is looking for traditional and non-traditional youngsters and leaders who are interested in a canine training project with the goal of dog competition at the Berrien County Youth Fair and 4-H.

Dog competition will include Junior Showmanship (conformation), Obedience, Agility and Rally training, Dog Science Notebook, as well as American Kennel Club Canine Therapy titles.

They offer two training locations, Mutterly Love in St. Joseph and the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds in Berrien Springs.  Classes will be held on scheduled Mondays during the summer months from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Registration for both training areas has been scheduled for Monday, May 1, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mutterly Love, 200 Kerth Street in St. Joseph.

For more information regarding Best Friends 4-H Club, please go to www.bf4hclub.com.  Or contact Linda Shannon-Chaillet (Mutterly Love location) at 269-934-0462 or email at shannollet@sbcglobal.net; or, contact Connie Peterson (BCYF location) at 269-757-6238 or email at conniep051@gmail.com.

Hartford Indian Emerald Vanguard 27th Annual Golf Classic May 20

 Hartford Band Boosters announce the Hartford Indian Emerald Vanguard 27th Annual Golf Classic will be on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Lake Cora Hills. The classic is two person teams, minimum 15 teams with a $200 first place prize. Cash prizes in three flights.

Check-in time is 7:15 a.m. with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. Donuts, juice and coffee available at check-in. Fee is $60 per player, $45 for members.

Lake Cora Hills is located at 56640 County Road 671 in Paw Paw.

Call Dan Dowd at 269-325-2253 for more information.